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 Canada includes in its territory most of northern North America. It extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic Ocean in the north. Therefore, it is not surprising that Canada is the world’s second largest country by total area. Canada shares borders with the United States to the south, which is also its main trade and economic partner. The country has an official bilingual status with French and English to comprise the official languages at the federal level. Canada is also major tourist destination with unparalleled natural sceneries. Its natural beauties vary form amazing lakes and forests to fantastic mountains and glaciers. Moreover, in Canada you can find great cities, with cosmopolitan atmosphere and multicultural style. In fact, Canada is one of the world’s most livable countries, offering a without precedent range of activities. It is an ideal destination for people that love nature and sports such as river rafting but also for those that prefer a city break. Some of the cities you should visit include Montreal and Toronto. Montreal is mainly inhabited by French speaking Canadians and has a distinctive French style. Hotels in Montreal resemble also the French hotels and apartments, having very chic decoration. In contrary, Toronto is the largest city of the country and its economic capital, aggregating all the characteristics of a true metropolis. Hotels in Toronto are famous for their excellent services and luxurious rooms.
History
 The first Europeans that arrived in Canada were the Vikings in 1000 AD, followed by the British in 1497 and the French in 1534. The first permanent European settlements though took place in Port Royal (1605) and in Quebec (1608), by the famous French explorer Samuel de Champlain. Respectively, the English established their first fishing outposts in Canada at around 1610, a date that they also colonized the so-called Thirteen Colonies to the south. This triggered a series of four wars between the French and the English that lasted from 1689 until1763. The end of the war found the Province of Quebec under English possession and enacted the restriction of the religious and language rights of all French Canadians. The increase of English speaking Canadians in Quebec, after the declaration of American independence, resulted to the division of Quebec into the French speaking part or Lower Canada and the English speaking part or Upper Canada. The first attempt for the assimilation of both parts and particularly the assimilation of French Canadians into English culture started in 1839 and continued in 1840 with the Act of Union towards the unification of Canada. Finally, the British North America Act of 1867 defined one Dominion under the name of Canada with four provinces, namely Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In 1931, the Statue of Westminster affirmed the independence of Canada and its legislative autonomy. During World War II, Canada declared war on Germany independently and its troops played an important role in many battles such as the Battle of Scheldt for the liberation of the Netherlands in 1944. The following decades, Canada became officially bilingual (1969) and multicultural (1971), enjoying an ongoing economic development. Today, the country is among the most developed countries in the world and member of the eight strongest global states (G8).
Art and Culture
 Canada’s culture is actually an amalgamation of diverse national and historical traits that stem from quite diverse sources. Particularly, being a country mainly of immigrants, Canada’s French and British origin have played a vital role in its socio-cultural development and have formed a unique blend of customs and traditions. Thus, one can clearly see today both British and French influences in all expressions of everyday life. More than that, Canada’s main linguistic and economic partner, namely the US, has also influenced significantly its culture and especially the visual and modern art. As revealed, Canada is a country that resembles a multicultural umbrella that encompasses various artistic, literary, musical, gastronomic, social and political elements. Canada’s museums and art galleries demonstrate this multiculturalism too. A museum that houses significant art pieces and archives form Canada’s western history for instance is the Glenbow Museum. Similarly, a museum that focuses on the French art and culture is Le Musée de la Civilisation à Québec, with a number of very interesting exhibitions. The National Gallery of Canada, is also a very important art museum of the country, as it accommodates superb exhibitions, collections and art events. Last but not least, the Nova Scotia Museum, which is the corporate name for the most decentralized museum organization in Canada, includes 27 museums and more than 200 historic buildings and sites and comprises landmark of the broad Canadian perception of culture and art.
Gastronomy
 Canadian gastronomy reflects to a great extend its diverse mix of people and particularly its French and British heritage. Being a country of immigrants, Canada’s cuisine originates from the gastronomic traditions of its immigrant nations as well. Hence, the cities or regions that are closer to French heritage have quite different gourmets comparing to the English Canadian ones, which are closer to the English and American cuisine. More specifically, Quebec has always enjoyed fine food with a French bend. On the other hand, in Toronto, there is a more diverse cuisine and many new dishes have been emerged the last years. Especially, the last two decades saw the opening of many first class and multiethnic restaurants, which offer a wide variety of flavors, ranging from sushi or fresh sashimi to American fast food. Moreover, Chinese restaurants have been operation for very long, meeting a great success. The same goes for the very many Italian and Greek restaurants that serve delicious traditional dishes and homemade recipes. In general, one can find flavors from all over the world in Canada. Just stroll around in any city and it is certain that you will discover new tastes and culinary propositions. However, there are also recipes that can be characterized as typical Canadian and include dishes of baked or gathered food and wild game. In general, the homemade wholesome Canadian dishes are widely popular, as they comprise a shield against the very cold weather.
Places to visit
 One of the most interesting parts of Canada is the province of Quebec. It is Canada’s largest province by area and the second most populated. The population of the area in mainly francophone and French is the official language. The French element is apparent almost in everything in Quebec, making it the cradle of French civilization in North America. The city of Quebec itself is the only walled city of North America and has many similarities with the style and architecture of many European cities. In addition, the very many cozy bars and restaurants infuse a lively atmosphere to the city, making Quebec an ideal destination all year long. Do not forget also to stroll around the narrow cobble-stoned streets of the city and explore its grey stone buildings. It is certain that Quebec will absorb you with its harmony and authentic style. Finally yet importantly, should you reserve a hotel in Quebec, do mot miss the terrific French breakfasts and the other delicacies, as many hotels in Quebec also work as restaurants or bars.
 Apart from the city of Quebec itself, a must destination of the region is the city of Montreal. It is the largest city in the Province of Quebec and indisputably among the most fascinating cities of North America. It combines perfectly its traditional old stone buildings with its modern skyscrapers and contemporary constructions. In Montreal, the old and the new succeed one another with a unique harmony. The Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal) founded in 1642 is a representative example, as apart from its historical importance it hosts many modern galleries, restaurants and terrific design hotels. As revealed, Montreal has a thrilling life style, depicted in its many theatres, museums, music halls and clubs. Additionally, hotels in Montreal resemble those in France, both in style and architecture. Finally, visitors of Montreal can also choose to stay in the suburb of Saint-Laurent, which is located next to Montreal and has an excellent transportation system to and from the city centre. Hotels in Saint-Laurent are generally cheaper than hotels in Montreal and they comprise an alternative option for many tourists.
 Toronto is another fantastic city worthy visiting. It is the largest city in Canada and the capital of the province of Ontario. Toronto is a true metropolis with a greatly cosmopolitan character. About half of its population is consisting of non-Canadian-born citizens, a fact that demonstrates the cultural diversity of the city. More than that, Toronto is a centre of education, culture, media, arts, finance, tourism and sports. There is so much to see and to do in Toronto that it is fairly considered as one of the most livable cities in the world. One of the attractions you should see includes the CN Tower, which is Toronto’s most defining landmark and comprises major tourist destination. The Ontario Palace is another must-see of the city. It is located in front of the Lake Ontario and houses more than 30 rides and attractions. The Ontario Science Centre and the castle of Casa Loma in the middle of the city are also among the sites of the city you should see. Finally, hotels in Toronto and especially some luxurious Toronto hotels, are among the most modern and luxurious hotels in Canada.
 A very interesting city located next to Toronto is Mississauga. It is actually, Toronto’s suburb and part of the Greater Toronto Area. It is an ideal spot as it hosts the Toronto Pearson International Airport, offering great access to major destinations in Canada and the United States. The new landmark of the city is the tower of Absolute World. Hotels in Mississauga are suggested for travelers that need a central location and an easy commute, mainly for business purposes. Travelers in the province of Ontario though, should not leave the area without visiting the world famous Niagara Falls. Separating the province of Ontario with the United States, the Niagara Falls are the most powerful and impressive waterfalls in North America. Their beauty is outstanding and every year thousands of tourists influx to admire this unique natural phenomenon. Once in Ontario, you can either visit the Niagara Falls on a daily excursion or spend your night in one of the apartments or hotels in Niagara Falls. The city of Niagara Falls has been named after the Falls and apart from its superb nature, it is famous for its cuisine. Visitors should try some of the wild game of the area, considered among the best in north America.
 Finally, your last stop in Canada should be nowhere else than Vancouver. Being a highly tourist destination, Vancouver is a fantastic city with great facilities and very high quality of life. It has a very multicultural style and greatly vivid atmosphere with plenty of clubs, bars and restaurants. Vancouver is a true Cosmopolis and centre of arts and culture. Culture events from all over the country usually start from here and new ideas, designs and tensions have to first be assessed by the local society before spreading to the other big cities of Canada. Therefore, it is not surprising that Vancouver is the third-largest film production centre in North America, after New York and Los Angeles, earning the name of Hollywood North. Additionally, the city is a centre of sports and has been nominated with the nearby city of Whistler to organize the Winter Olympic Games of 2010. Apart of a modern global city though, Vancouver is also surrounded by wonderful nature, as it is located next to the superb Coast Mountains. As revealed, it is a city that can fulfill the dreams of the most demanding visitors and it is surely recommended that you reserve hotels in Vancouver and spend some days in this unique indeed part of Canada.
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